Tax evasion ring at 10 nightlife venues in Thessaloniki – 18 arrests
The AADE identified an extensive tax evasion ring worth millions across nightlife venues in Thessaloniki. Eighteen people were arrested, while their lawyer warns that the names to be revealed will "destroy" the city's nightlife.
Tax evasion worth millions at Thessaloniki nightlife venues – 18 face justice
Eighteen people were arrested in Thessaloniki as part of an AADE investigation into an extensive tax evasion ring operating across more than 10 nightlife venues in the city. According to Newsit.gr, among those arrested—men and one woman—are business owners who operated through shell companies and front men.
The Financial Transactions Control Forces (DEOS) of the AADE discovered hidden books and accounting records during the operation that point to the concealment of millions of euros. Investigations are continuing into the accounting books and POS terminals of the businesses involved. The arrested individuals were brought before the courts on Saturday afternoon, 7 November 2026.
"They knew nothing", says their lawyer
Antonis Koudrogglou, lawyer for five of the 18 defendants, spoke on the programme Exelixeis Tora and conveyed his clients' initial position: they know nothing about the charges attributed to them. According to him, during the preliminary investigation they were not provided with the evidence that was collected, resulting in their inability to provide explanations.
"We are waiting to obtain this case file and respond to the prosecutor who will handle it first and then to the investigating judge after. If prosecution is brought, it will be at the level of felony", said Koudrogglou.
When asked whether his clients were ignorant of or did not participate in the scheme, the lawyer replied: "It is clear that they did not know about this volume of work, about this volume of damage that we are discussing". He explained that if a company carried out activity different from that for which it was established, the professional who established it cannot be assumed by definition to have been aware of it. "We will need to sit down, study it, analyse it and help justice to be administered properly", he added.
"Extremely well-known names from the business world"
Koudrogglou confirmed information circulating that the revelation of those involved will "destroy" Thessaloniki's nightlife. "From what we have also heard in the course of this preliminary investigation, it is true that they are extremely well-known names from the business world of Thessaloniki", he said.
He described how the arrests of his clients began from 9 in the morning of the previous day. He was unable to contact them whilst the preliminary investigation was ongoing, as this is not permitted. He saw them for the first time the following morning, for five minutes, at the custody facility of the Thessaloniki Police Directorate. "The charge was not read to them in the sense that we understand. The case file is very substantial, there are a great many pieces of evidence", he noted.
The woman among the arrested: wife of an entrepreneur, with no involvement in tax evasion
Regarding the sole woman among those arrested, Koudrogglou provided clear clarifications. She is the wife of an entrepreneur who was at home when the authorities arrived to arrest her husband, who was not there. During the search an antique firearm was found, and the woman was unable to provide the relevant licence documents. "The wife did not have the knowledge to provide the licence details and for this reason she was arrested for illegal possession of a firearm. She is not involved, let us make that clear", emphasised the lawyer.
Source: Newsit.gr